Pastoral Ministry

124/217

Reading Scripture

Clear, distinct utterance is essential in public Bible reading—I am pained as I see how little the gift of speech is appreciated. In reading the Bible, in engaging in prayer, in bearing testimony in meeting, how necessary is clear, distinct utterance!—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 241. PaM 182.2

Bible may be read by ministers so impressively that listeners never forget them—When I was only about eleven years old, I heard a minister read the account of Peter's imprisonment, as recorded in the book of Acts; and he read in so impressive a manner that the details of the story in all their reality seemed to be passing before my eyes. So deep was the impression made upon my mind that I have never forgotten it.—The Voice in Speech and Song, 392, 393. PaM 182.3